India set to ask UK to extradite Lalit Modi

India is all set to request Britain to extradite former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, facing money laundering probe, with the Enforcement Directorate asking the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to act in this regard. “The Enforcement Directorate has sent us an extradition request. It is currently being examined by our legal experts. Once we make sure that it is in good shape, we will send it to the UK side for consideration,” external affairs ministry (MEA) Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The ED wants Mr Modi to “join investigation” in a case relating to T-20 cricket IPL competition after an FIR was registered against him and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to news agency reports, a special court in Mumbai two months back had issued an order allowing the ED to begin extradition proceedings against Mr Modi in connection with its money laundering probe against him and others. In August, the ED had moved the Interpol to get a red corner notice issued against Mr Modi.

Interpol authorities, time and again, have sought additional information from ED investigators on their money laundering case against Modi as part of the process to issue such a worldwide warrant against him.

The ED is probing Mr Modi, the IPL and its executives for alleged violation of anti-money laundering laws after registering a criminal FIR in 2012.

The FIR was filed after the central agency took cognisance of a cheating complaint filed by former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan against Mr Modi and half-a-dozen others with the Chennai police.